Chelsea's Quest for the Champions League Trophy: Will It Ever Happen?

(Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

A dramatic late strike from Andres Iniesta saw Barcelona snatch a 1-1 draw with Chelsea and a place in the UEFA Champions League final.

The away goal rule came into effect as the two legs both ended in draws.

However, in recent years, Chelsea have seen frustratingly huge success in Europe. Chelsea became the highest ranked club under UEFA's five-year coefficient system used in the seeding of European club competitions in the following season, the first English club to do so in the 21st century.

Despite the "success," Chelsea have never been able to get their hands on that ever-elusive Champions League trophy.

A lot of could-have-beens and should-have-beens, means Chelsea fans are still waiting.

Although, an appearance in the tournament in '99 where, ironically, Chelsea were knocked out by Barcelona -- the quest seriously gathered pace in 2004.

Chelsea pipped Liverpool to the last CL spot by beating them in the last game of the season. The match was billed as "the £25M match," as that was the prize for reaching the CL.

Those £25M didn't matter so much, when during the summer a certain Roman Abramovic bought the club and began bankrolling huge transfers.

In a tournament full of surprises, Chelsea reached the semifinals only to be sent home packing by eventual losing finalists Monaco.

The following season, Chelsea again qualified for the tournament by finishing 2nd the domestic league. They again reached the semifinals by knocking out Barcelona on the way.

Chelsea's progress was eventually halted by Liverpool. However, Chelsea finished that season as English champions.

Next season provided new hopes. Defending English champions, most felt this was Chelsea's season. This was the season Chelsea would showcase that money could indeed buy success.

Unfortunately, they were once again eliminated, this time by Barcelona at the Quarterfinal stage. However, the pain didn't last long, as Chelsea became English champions for the second season running.

Another season came and went, with Chelsea once again failing in Europe. Liverpool sent Chelsea home via a penalty shootout at the semifinal stage.

Many were starting to question if it were ever going to happen. Those questions grew louder when Manchester United held Chelsea off to become English champions. Was Chelsea's dominance over?

Chelsea came in for some heavy criticism. "They can't handle the big stage," "Lampard goes missing in big games," "Drogba chokes".

Chelsea were adamant to answer silence their critics and by pure determination, Chelsea reached the semifinal stage again. Liverpool were the opposition, again!

Chelsea defied the odds and eliminated Liverpool to finally reach the CL final. It was a dream come true for the players and fans. There was a certain feeling of inevitability about the match. It felt like it was our time.

Manchester United were the opponents and they had other ideas, as they won the final via a penalty shootout. Chelsea fans were heartbroken once again.

Chelsea though, showed their resilience by reaching the semifinals once again, the following season. Barcelona were standing in their way once again.

Chelsea and Barcelona have become somewhat familiar with each other. Before the semifinals were played, there had been eight meetings between them in recent times.

The stats said 3 wins each, 2 draws and an impressive 29 goals scored.

Chelsea were once again cruelly eliminated. This time via the away goal rule. 0-0 in Barcelona and 1-1 in London meant, Barcelona marched onto the final and once again, Chelsea and their fans were left heartbroken.

Questions are now being asked again. Is it ever going to happen for Chelsea? They have reached the semifinal five times in the last six seasons and once reaching the final itself.

While Chelsea still have the FA Cup final to look forward to, for many of the fans, winning it will hardly make up for the loss last night.

Chelsea will start next season again, with hopes of doing the impossible. If recent history is anything to go by, Chelsea is the one team that deserves to finally win the CL title.

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